Associate Professor in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Pidigam Saidaiah (41) of the College of Horticulture, Mojerla, Wanaparthy district, Hyderabad, has generated promising seed varieties of pink tomato, yellow tomato, red amaranth, and yard-long beans using a pedigree approach.
These hybrids, which were created by crossing two extreme kinds, have several advantages over common varieties. The seeds have been submitted to the Horticulture Centre of Excellence in Jeedimetla for testing, and they will be available in the markets soon.
The pink tomato, which is popular in Thailand, Malaysia, and Europe, has been adapted to Indian conditions and has been discovered to be high in water-soluble Anthocyanin pigment.
It contains anti-cancer qualities and is high in antioxidants. It also contains a low concentration of lycopene pigment, which is plenty in red tomatoes.
According to scientists, the variety is cultivated for 150-180 days and begins ripening at 55 days, extending the harvesting season.
It costs roughly Rs 25-30 per kilogram, which is less than the current price of red tomatoes. It has a more acidic flavor and lends reddish color to the foods it is used in.
The disadvantage of this variety, however, according to P Yadagiri, AD Horticulture (Urban Farms), is that the fruit's skin is very thin and easily destroyed during shipping.
It has a seven-day shelf life. According to Yadagiri, the variety is ideal for purees, sambar, and chutneys, and it cooks faster than other varieties.
Saidaiah's yellow tomato variety is high in Beta Carotene, a provitamin A that is beneficial for improving eyesight.
The dish it is used in takes on a golden hue as a result of it. Because it lacks the ascorbic acid found in red tomatoes, this type tastes more like spinach when cooked than conventional tomatoes.
The professor has also produced high-yielding crimson amaranth (thotakura) cultivar. He also developed yard-long beans, which may grow up to 30-35 cm long, using a cowpea germplasm variety.
Farmers benefit from this type because, unlike French beans, which can only be produced at low temperatures during the winter, yard-long beans can be cultivated all year and contain a lot of protein.
Saidaiah is also working on improving the keeping quality of pink tomatoes and producing red okra varieties.
The varieties would be sent to the Director of Research at Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, who would then send them to the Principal Secretary of Agriculture, who is also the Chairman of the State Varietal Release Committee (SVRC) for approval, based on the results of the Centre of Excellence. Saidaiah has previously won prizes for "State Best Teacher" and "Young Scientist."
